About Fort William, Kolkata

Fort William, situated on the banks of the Hooghly River, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Kolkata. This 17th century riverside fortress with intricate stonework, arched windows, and lush garden is named after King William III. A reminiscent of the colonial legacy in India, this notable site was once known as the Black Hole of Calcutta because of its dungeon where prisoners were hauled. At present, this 70-hectare historic fort serves as the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, and thus, tourists are prohibited from entering the inner sections of the fort. Furthermore, Fort William is located in the heart of the city, which is home to various other attractions as well as amazing restaurants, shopping venues, and hotels in Kolkata.

Shopping and Dining around Fort William

There are plenty of places to shop in and around Hastings, which is home to Fort William. Tourists can explore nearby malls to buy branded stuff or scour through the beautiful items on sale at local markets in the neighbourhood. Some of the popular malls in Kolkata located within a 10-kilometre radius are Forum Courtyard, Avani Riverside, Quest, Merlin Homeland and The Metro Plaza, among others. Besides, nearby markets like Chandni Chowk, Janbazar, Dharmatala and Bowbazar are a must-visit for shopaholics. Tourists staying at hotels near Fort William gain easy access to restaurants, cafes, and bars galore. Peter Cat, Mocambo, Trincas, Hard Rock Café, Mamagoto, Russel Punjabi Dhaba and Saima are popular dining options near the colonial fort. Other best restaurants around Fort William include Kaidi Kitchen, One Step Up, Khandani Rajdhani, Nizam’s, The Oberoi Grand, Kasturi, The Factory Outlet, etc.

Places to Visit around Fort William

Tourists who book hotels in Fort William area don’t have to travel much to explore the popular sights as several places to visit in Kolkata are located not too far from this magnificent fort. Nearby attractions like James Prinsep Ghat (650 m), Maidan (1.1 km), Eden Gardens (2.5 km), Millennium Park (3.1 km), Shaheed Minar (3.3 km), Alipore Zoo (3.3 km), Buddhist Pagoda (3.5 km) and Elliot Park (4.3 km) must be a part of the itinerary of every traveller staying in Kolkata hotels. Other popular attractions include St. Paul's Cathedral (4.5 km), Indian Museum (4.5 km), M.P. Birla Planetarium (4.5 km), Netaji Bhawan (5 km), Victoria Memorial (5.3 km), Kalighat (5.6 km), Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (6.6 km), Birla Mandir (7.6 km), Belur Math (11.7 km) and Nicco Park (14.7 km).

How to Reach Fort William

Fort William is located in the heart of the city, which is well connected to different parts of Kolkata by the public transport system - bus, taxi, metro, auto and tram. Tourists can reach either of the nearby metro stations - Rabindra Sadan or Chandni Chowk (both are 3.8 km away from Fort William) and thereafter, book a taxi or an auto for their onward journey. Besides, the colonial fortress is around 4.2 km away from Howrah Junction and 6.2 km away from Sealdah Railway Station (both via Strand Road). The fort, on the other hand, is at a distance of around 24.3 km airport (longer yet fastest route - via Bangaon-Kulpi Road/Thakurnagar-Panchpota Road (via longer yet fastest route - Bangaon-Kulpi Road/Thakurnagar-Panchpota Road).

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